Cadillac is officially joining Formula 1

General Motors, through its Cadillac brand, is officially entering the Formula 1 grid. Starting in the 2026 season, Cadillac F1 will become the sport’s 11th team, marking a significant expansion for the top-tier racing series.

The move brings a new American presence to F1, as Cadillac partners with Andretti Global under the leadership of Dan Towriss and Mark Walter, who recently acquired a majority stake in the organization. The new team will initially use Ferrari engines until Cadillac’s own power unit is ready for competition in 2028.

“This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level,” GM President Mark Reuss said, emphasizing the importance of innovation and excellence.

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Years of negotiations finally pay off

The approval comes after more than three years of back-and-forth between Andretti Global, GM, and Formula 1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media. Michael Andretti, who initially led the effort, stepped aside earlier this year, though he remains an ambassador for the team.

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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a staunch advocate for the Andretti-GM bid, praised the outcome. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world,” he said. “I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM, and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application.”

Despite FIA approval, Liberty Media had resisted expansion due to concerns over diluting prize money and skepticism about Andretti’s viability. However, GM’s involvement ultimately swayed the decision, particularly as the automaker pledged to develop its own power units.

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Cadillac’s Formula 1 faces strong competition

The team’s long-term success will hinge on its ability to compete with established powerhouses like Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari. Dan Towriss, the new team principal, expressed confidence in the project. “Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world,” he said.

Andretti Global’s previous attempts to enter F1 had stalled, including an unsuccessful bid to purchase Sauber in 2020. The partnership with GM, announced in 2022, provided the credibility needed to overcome those setbacks.

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Final thoughts

Cadillac F1’s debut will mark only the second American team on the current grid, joining Haas F1. Unlike Haas, which sources much of its infrastructure from outside the U.S., Cadillac F1 aims to build a team that reflects true American innovation.

With Formula 1’s growing popularity in the United States and three U.S.-based races on the calendar, Cadillac’s entry could further energize the sport’s stateside following. The team’s success—or struggles—will be closely watched when the lights go out in 2026.